Orchids are great additions to any home or garden because of the flowers.
Apart from the beauty, the orchid flowers also offer a good fragrance. The flowers bloom from the stem part known as flower spikes.
Spikes are parts of the stem where flower buds and flowers grow. This guide will show you how to regrow an orchid stem.
Orchids usually grow their new spikes up to twice a year. However, many people uproot the orchids once the spikes stop growing.
Also, the spikes may be damaged for many reasons. The main one is withering after the flowers are done blooming.
Orchids bloom once or twice a year. The type of orchid you are growing determines how easy or difficult it is to have it bloom.
Out of all the orchid varieties, Phalaenopsis orchids easily grow new spikes and rebloom at home.
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How To Make An Orchid Grow A New Spike?
To help orchids grow new spikes, keep them in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Fertilize the orchid, and cut off the withered spikes. Water adequately and induce the blooming in winter.
How To Make an Orchid Grow a New Spike
There are various steps I need to take to help my orchids to grow new spikes and rebloom:
1. Choose a Bright Spot
Orchids need bright indirect light to thrive. They are not happy in a low-light situation. Therefore choosing a wester- or eastern-facing window is ideal.
Put your orchids close to a window, as light falls off drastically when moving a couple of feet back.
2. Fertilize Monthly
Use an orchid fertilizer about once a month to fertilize the orchids after they drop the last flowers.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using fertilizer to avoid harming my plants and ensure they are in their best health.
Also, remember to keep the orchid in a location that offers bright and indirect light.
3. Cut the Flower Spike
We have the option to cut or leave orchid flower spikes to be.
There are three options for cutting my orchid spikes.
- I can leave the spike without cutting it because there is a chance that the flowers will bloom again.
- Use sterilized clippers, razor blades, or sharp scissors to cut the spike at an angle between the third and fourth node from the bottom. This method only works for the phalaenopsis orchids. Also, half a chance it will help my spikes sprout.
- Fully cut the flower spike with razor blades, sharp scissors, or sterilized clippers. Clip the spike half an inch from the plant’s base. It’s the best approach since it helps my plant to reset and develop stronger roots. I also need to apply this method if the spike turns brown and yellow. If I have orchid species other than phalaenopsis, I may need to cut off the spike at the base.
Related: Why is the orchid stem yellow?
4. Water Regularly
I also need to water my orchids as per the instructions on the care tag.
A standard-sized phalaenopsis needs watering every 10 to 14 days, while a mini phalaenopsis need water every 7 to 10 days.
Watering my orchids less is usually better. Ensure the orchid’s potting medium is almost dry before watering it to prevent overwatering and product systems.
5. Wait for New Leaves To Grow
We need to wait a few months after cutting the flower spike before the spiking starts.
A new fully grown leaf shows that my orchids are recovered and are ready to bloom.
The new leaves are usually as big or even bigger than the others on the orchids.
6. Expose the Plant to Low Temperatures
My orchids need low temperatures to develop new flower spikes. Ensure they are at room temperature at night ranging from 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
I may also want to place the plant close to a window away from the heater. I’ve got a better chance of producing flower spikes in the winter.
7. Lookout for a New Flower Spike
A new flower spike develops after a month or so. At first, it looks like an aerial root.
After the Orchard starts to develop spikes, I can return it to a location with a room temperature of about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and indirect light.
The Orchid will grow tall after a few months and develop new flowers.
I may need a steak and a loose tie to support the orchid after the spike gets about 5 inches tall.
Try adjusting the location of my choice if I don’t get a flower spike a few months later. It could be because it lacks enough light or cool temperatures.
How To Identify the Orchid Spike
I need to identify my flower spike first before I can help it grow. It is useful, especially when I have to cut off the withering spikes.
Also, people often confuse them with aerial roots.
The orchid spikes easily grow on the sides of their plant. The sprout in between the leaves is under and above each of the leaves.
Also, they are pointy and thin and usually look like a mitten.
Orchid spikes are also green, and the roots do not have the glossy appearance of aerial roots.
If I have phalaenopsis orchids, their flower spikes will appear in autumn or winter when the temperatures are low.
Moreover, orchid spikes usually grow towards the light source, unlike the aerial roots, which incline in all directions.
The new sprouts of the orchard spikes have a pointy tip, unlike the aerial roots, which have a rounded tip.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make An Orchid Grow A New Spike
Do orchids grow new stems?
Yes, they grow new stems and bloom twice a year.
How long do orchids grow a new spike?
Orchids are a bit slow to develop new spikes. It takes 2 to 3 months for the orchids to develop new spikes. The rate of development will mainly depend on light and temperatures.
How do I get multiple spikes on my orchids?
Trim the current stems of the orchids to help them develop multiple spikes.
Why are my orchids not reblooming?
The main reason for orchids failing to rebloom is insufficient light. I will know that there is insufficient light if the leaves change color.
Conclusion
Orchids have attractive flowers with beautiful fragrances.
However, the flower spikes may wither after the blooming, and I may want to help the orchids rebloom rather than get rid of the plants. Trimming the withering orchid spikes almost at the base is the best way to help my orchids rebloom. Also, expose the plants to cool temperatures and bright indirect lighting.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.